Van Dijk Reveals He Engineered Adrian’s UEFA Super Cup Heroics
Virgil van Dijk has revealed he was the planner of goalkeeper Adrian's heroics in UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday in Istanbul, saying he told the 32-year-old to be the hero for the side in the penalty shootout.
Liverpool defeated their domestic rivals Chelsea 5-4 on penalties with newly recruited Adrian being the hero of the night after denying Tammy Abraham to score from the spot.
Chelsea drew first blood as Olivier Giroud left-footed shot went past Adrian before Sadio Mane found the equaliser for Jurgen Klopp’s side as the scoreline remained the same in the first ninety minutes.
And with the game ending 2-2 after a gruelling 120 minutes of football, Jorginho and Mane scoring for their respective sides, Liverpool won the trophy on penalties.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Van Dijk stressed he was the masterminder of Spanish shot-stopper Adrian’s heroics of the night, insisting he made an impact through his pep talk to the goalkeeper.
“I’m very glad and very happy that Adrian saved the last one. He should enjoy himself.
“I told him before the penalties ‘you can be the hero tonight, so do it. He did it, and I’m really happy for him and for the club as well.
“It was a good game to watch for the neutral spectators. It was tough. He had moments where we played very good football, especially in the second half we played some good stuff and put them under pressure.
“I said it yesterday as well, in a final anything can happen, and with penalties especially, I’m glad I’m on the winning side this time."
Liverpool, having won the UEFA Super Cup becomes the most successful club in England with 46 trophies.
The Reds will now channel their attention to the Premier League as they travel to Southampton on Saturday for match-day two of the 2019/20 season after defeating newly-promoted side Norwich City 4-1 in their season opener at Anfield.
